Gov. Larry Hogan says a jobs program he implemented is off to such a good start he wants to expand it.
Hogan’s program, the More Jobs For Marylanders Act, became law this year after it was passed by the General Assembly. The program provides tax credits to manufacturing companies that create jobs in certain jurisdictions, including Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
In the first few months, Hogan said nearly 70 companies have sent letters of intent to the Department of Commerce to participate. Seventeen companies, including Alertus in Prince George’s County and Marlin Steel in Baltimore, have submitted applications totaling the creation of 450 new jobs.
To build on the success of the program, Hogan said he will propose a More Jobs For Marylanders Act 2.0. The expansion will include additional jurisdictions including Garrett, Caroline, Kent and Wicomico counties. The bill will also expand the tax credit beyond just the manufacturing industry. Each jurisdiction, including those from the first version of the law, would be able to pick three industries or sectors where businesses would be eligible for the credit.
“We will work with all of the eligible jurisdictions to identify their own individual economic development needs in order to provide targeted, strategic state support,” Hogan said.